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Climate change has caused a great impact on vegetation growth, production and distribution through variations of precipitation, temperature and sunshine. In this study, a categorization of zones for vegetation responses to climatic variability was conducted. Seasonal and annual crop responses to climate change in each region were analysed with multiple linear regression. The results show that the annual impact of climatic factors on crop growth was most significant in lower North China (R-2 = 0.48) and most insignificant in Northeast China (R-2 = 0.22). Temperature is the limiting climatic factor for crop growth annually in North China and Northeast China (zones 1-3), (p <= 0.05), while sunshine duration plays an important role for crop growth in zones which are more southern (zones 3 similar to 5). Precipitation significantly affects the annual crop growth in Inner Mongolia-Hebei-Shandong zone (zone 2) and Southeast zone (zone 5). Therefore, more attention should be paid to these zones. The spring temperature is the limiting climatic factor for crop growth in all the zones (p <= 0.05). Spring warming is helpful for crop growth in mainland China. Different agricultural and administrative measures should be taken in each zone to adapt to future climate change.